Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

60. Why were these words added by the Church?

1. That we may profess by them before the whole world, that Mary is truly Mother of God; and 2. That we may often implore the assistance of her prayers in all our necessities, and especially, for obtaining the grace of a happy death.

61. Why should we often pray for a happy death? 1. Because our eternal salvation depends on the last moments of our life; 2. Because, at that critical time, the temptations are commonly more violent and more dangerous; and 3. Because perseverance to the end of life is a special grace, for which we ought continually to pray. (Counc. of Tr. Sess. 6. Can. 6. 22.)

62. Has the Blessed Virgin great influence with God?

Certainly; for it has never been heard yet, that any one who had recourse to Mary, and with true devotion implored her intercession, has ever been abandoned by God. (St. Bernard.)

63. What prayer do we say when morning, noon, and night the bell is rung for the " Angelus ?”

We say the following:

Hail, Mary, etc. Lord. Be it done Hail, Mary, etc. And dwelt among

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Behold the handmaid of the unto me according to thy word. And the Word was made flesh. Hail Mary, etc.

us.

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God!

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may, by His Passion and Cross, be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Though we should live in countries or places, where such public signal is not given, yet, as this pious exercise is strongly recommended by the Church, and several Popes have granted many spiritual favours and Indulgences to those who daily and devoutly practise it, let us be careful to say this prayer with great devotion every day in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. (The Transl.)

64. Why do we say this prayer?

1. To give thanks to God for the Incarnation of Christ; and 2. To honour the Blessed Virgin, and to recommend ourselves to her protection.

65.* What is the Rosary?

It is a very useful and easy form of prayer, mental as well as vocal, which was introduced by St. Dominic in the thirteenth century, was approved of by the Church, and has, since then, always been practised and recommended by her.

This form of prayer is called Rosary, because it is, as it were, a chaplet of the most beautiful prayers and meditations, wherein the principal mysteries of our religion are wreathed like fragrant roses. Hence the name. It is divided into three parts, each part consisting of five Mysteries. The first five are called the Joyful Mysteries; the next five, the Dolorous or Sorrowful Mysteries; and the last five, the Glorious Mysteries. It is true, that, in the Rosary, the same salutation is often repeated; but this ought not to surprise us more than that, in Psalm 135, the words, "His mercy endureth for ever," are repeated twenty-seven times; or, that the Angels in Heaven incessantly sing: "Holy, holy, holy." Nor ought this practice to appear tedious to us, since the mind is,

in the mean time, to be occupied with the contemplation of the Holy Mysteries. (See Pages IX. and X.)

The Titles of honour, which are given to our Blessed Lady in the Litany of Loretto, as, "Mystical Rose, Tower of David, Morning Star" etc., are symbolical expressions taken from the Holy Scripture, and are applied to her on account of the eminent privileges and graces conferred on her.

Application. Honour the Blessed Virgin in a most particular and childlike manner. Implore her assistance in all your necessities and concerns, and strive eagerly to imitate her charity, patience, purity, and her other virtues.

ON RELIGIOUS PRACTICES AND CEREMONIES IN GENERAL; AND ON SOME IN PARTICULAR.

1. What do we understand by Religious Ceremonies? By Religious Ceremonies we understand certain significant signs or actions, which the Church has established for the celebration of the Divine Service.

2. Why is the instruction on Prayer followed here by the explanation of Religious Practices and Ceremonies?

1. Because Religious Ceremonies have been instituted to give praise and glory to God, no less than Prayer itself; and 2. Because they help us to elevate our souls to God and to the contemplation of Divine things, consequently also, to pray with attention and devotion.

3. How do Ceremonies help us to elevate our souls to God and Divine things?

They help us 1. Because they render the Divine Service more solemn, aud thereby captivate our attention, and draw it from earthly objects to God; and 2. Because they represent in a visible manner before our eyes, Mysteries invisible in themselves, and thereby render it easier for us to meditate on them.

4. Are not Ceremonies idle Observances ?

Not at all; for 1. God Himself prescribed, under severe penalties, several kinds of Ceremonies to the Jews; 2. Christ our Lord also used various Ceremonies; and 3. He Himself instituted sacramental signs or Ceremonies.

1. See the Book of Leviticus.-2. For instance, when He healed the man that was deaf and dumb (Mark 7.); when He gave sight to the man born blind (John 9.); when He breathed on His Disciples, and imparted to them the Holy Ghost (John 20,).—3. When He instituted the Holy Eucharist, Baptism, etc.

5. But must we not adore God in spirit and in truth? (John 4, 24.)

By all means; and, therefore, the Church wishes that we should not merely assist at the Ceremonies, but also understand their meaning, and accompany them with prayer, and pious sentiments.

6. Have then all Religious Ceremonies a meaning? Yes; all things which the Church makes use of for celebrating the Divine Service, have a mystical signification, and are intended to excite our souls to lively sentiments of devotion.

The Ceremonies of Baptism, See Pages 253 & 254;-of Confirmation, Pages 256 & 257;-of the Mass, Pages 268 & 269;-of the Blessing of water, salt, oil, etc. See Page 311, etc.

7. But are there not also Religious Ceremonies and Practices which are useless and superfluous ?

No; that which the holy, infallible Church ordains, approves, or practises, cannot but be useful and salutary, because she is always guided by the Holy Ghost.

8. What is then the use of Incense?

Incense is an emblem of reverence and of prayer which should ascend to Heaven as a sweet odour before God. (Ps. 140, 2.)

9. What do the Lighted Candles signify?

They signify Faith which enlightens, Hope which soars above this world, and Charity which inflames and they recall also to our mind those times of persecution, when the Christians celebrated the Divine Service in Catacombs or subterranean caverns.

10. What do the Candles blessed on the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially call to our mind?

The words of Simeon, that revelation of the Gentiles," walk " as children of the Ephes. 5, 8.)

Jesus is "a Light to the and that we also are to Light." (Luke 2, 32.

†i.e., a Light to be revealed to the Gentiles, or to lighten the Gentiles. (The Transl.)

11. What does the Paschal Candle remind us of?

It reminds us of Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, who rescued us from the servitude of Satan, as formerly the pillar of fire led the Children of Israel out of the bondage of the Egyptians. (Exod. 14, 20.)

12. What do the Ashes blessed on Ash-Wednesday call to our remembrance ?

That we should humble ourselves, and sincerely repent; therefore, the Priest, whilst he puts ashes on our heads, says: “Remember, man, that thou art dust, and into dust thou shalt return." (Gen. 3, 19.)

Ashes were even in the Old Testament an emblem of penance and humility. Examples: The Ninivites, Judith, Esther, etc.

13. What do the Palms on Palm-Sunday call to our mind?

The triumphant entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem, and His victory over Hell; and that we also should strive to gain the palm of eternal life.